Compare bucktails

[Reckless]

 There are different styles of bucktails out there. Spro,hot lips, bullet etc. Is one head type better than another?

Thanks!

[Mr Limpett]

Out of 13 PB fluke trips I had this year, I caught 6 pool fish with spro. I used other jigs, but the 6 were on spro. I'm convinced.

[BigAl13]

Doesnt necesarily have to be spro but  i do believe that style  produce better a nd I know they hold bottom better allowing you to use a smaller jig

[Luna Sea 5]

The advantage of Spro over others, in my opinion, besides the way it is designed with the leader attached to the top of the head instead of in front of the lip is the large gamakatsu hooks.  I cant use any other hooks other then the gammies...  I think thats the key to hook ups. 

[IrishAyes]

The spro has the connecting point on the top, thus being able to 'jig' the lure up and down as opposed to 'dragging' a lure which will happen with a lure with the connecting point at the front.

If you are fishing straight up and down with the lure that has the front connecting point I don't think you will get a natural looking action.

[IrishAyes]

You beat me to it Nick. 

[Mr Limpett]

Spro also has a baitholder type thing on the hook, not all jigs have that, it secures the tail solidly.  The hook length gives gulp (or whatever) a good set and tail flutter.

[Bucktail]

   The position of the line tie (mid head) and the sticky sharp Gami hook makes the Spros perfect for vertical jigging for fluke.  

As far as the actual shape of the heads on bucktails, I really haven't noticed much difference in catch rate from one to another.  Some may be more hydrodynamic than others, but other than that I'll generally use whatever.

[captainbailey]

the larger profile collar of the smiling bills make it sink slower, making them better for bass fishing by staying just off the bottom.

about the spros for fluke. 

[wb]

the Spros are more expensive- they must be better! 

I like the MaiTais too. Sometimes tuff to get a hold of those guys tho...

of course u all no I am a fluke hack; use advice accordingly 

[fellinger]

I can hookup with the bottom and lose all of the designs equally as well. 

[Luna Sea 5]

The only thing I would change on the spro is the hook size.  I would like them just a tad smaller.. not much, just a little. 

I always add a small stinger hook to adjust the difference and most of the time, its the stinger hook that gets the fish.  I also snag hook the fluke with the stinger hook as I try setting the hook and miss. 

[The Broken One]

i personally have caught with everything except the fluke ball which i have had no luck with, i know guys who have though..

that being said i feel the 3 most important things with BTs are... Hook quality, hair quality, and paint on the body.... whatever i buy i check these things first as most important... i tend to buy off of local makers who sell to me in bulk and who will make to my liking  

[fluke - u]

 ....Anything with gulp on the hook works for me be it Spro, local whatever....

[sperzonkers2]

I vote for the spro BT also. They seem for me to catch the most fluke. Last season I was using the spro and my wife was using another jig. I seemed to hook up more than she did.

[The Broken One]

I vote for the spro BT also. They seem for me to catch the most fluke. Last season I was using the spro and my wife was using another jig. I seemed to hook up more than she did.

which proves the point that a lot of variables go into this... like how person is moving the jig... how fast of a drift / ocean or bay conditions
..mono or braid...action of the rod...etc.....

[Luna Sea 5]

I think the biggest agvantage is the Gammy hook.  I never found a hook sharper.  It's to the point that, it's all I use.

[Bucktail]

I like the MaiTais too. Sometimes tuff to get a hold of those guys tho...

Joe makes a terrific "Spro style" jig.  He generally uses synthetic bucktail instead of actual deer hair.  I think he uses a high quality Mustad hook on them.  Almost as sharp as the Gamakatsu hook but with a more rounded gap.

Pics below:
1.  Two Spro jigs (top & middle) Mai Tai jig (bottom)
2.  Spro hook
3.  MaiTai hook

I think the biggest agvantage is the Gammy hook.  I never found a hook sharper.  It's to the point that, it's all I use.

Nick, I agree.  Those Gamakatsu hooks are awesome!   Eagle Claw recently came out with a hook called the Trokar.  Although they aren't available as a jig hook (as far as I know) they are the stickiest hooks out there right now.  We just started carrying them in saltwater sizes.  Check them out sometime.

[Bucktail]

Just got in some Uncle Josh bucktails with a swinging hook.  They look interesting.  They have a much bigger profile head than a Spro of the same weight (almost double), as you can see by the picture.  The line tie is in the right spot, so it should hang horizontal when jigging.  The one thing I'm not crazy about is the hook.  It seems kind of cheap and flimsy.  Maybe it's not, but that my first impression of it.

Speaking of hooks, here's a shot of the new Saltwater Trokar hooks from Eagle Claw.  They are extremely sharp!  They have a triangular point rather than a conical one.  So far we are carrying these in a non-offset circle, a Kahle (fluke), and a HD Live Bait (pictured).